Posted on Mar 05, 2021
How healthy is your heart?
To celebrate Heart Month, Dr. Pamela Gardner and Jessica Cunningham, RN joined us from Lima Memorial Health System for a Q&A about the risk factors for heart attacks and how to keep a healthy heart. Dr. Gardner says it's important to know your family history, and if there is a history of heart trouble, you should get checked. Lima Memorial offers a vascular screening for just $75 that does not require a doctor's order. They also have same-day cardiology appointments for anyone who thinks they may be having problems. Some of the signs of heart trouble that should concern you are palpitations, growing tired more easily, cramping of the legs, generally feeling unwell. Though, Dr. Gardner cautions that if you are having a heart attack, you should call 911 immediately and not try to drive yourself to the hospital or have someone else drive you. "Time is muscle," says Dr. Gardner. The sooner you get to the hospital, the sooner they can begin treating you. She says that waiting to get treatment can do long-term damage to your heart. Some of the things you can do to keep you heart healthy are eating right, not smoking, losing weight, and getting your heart rate up for at least 15-20 minutes several times per week.
 
Also at Monday's meeting, Adah Ellerbrock gave us a photo tour of her very groovy retro house and all the classic furnishings and appliances that came with it.